Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-25 at 07:02

HEADLINES
Lebanon border pullback disputed amid US mediation
Netanyahu testifies in defamation trial over health
Israel to aid earthquake struck Venezuela

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, authorities report continuing questions over Israel's presence in southern Lebanon as competing claims of withdrawal clash among US, Israeli and Lebanese officials. A US State Department official said Israel had pulled back from parts of the security buffer zone, describing the move as a significant gesture to the Lebanese government and calling on the Lebanese Armed Forces to enter and verify the area. Two IDF sources denied any withdrawal, and a senior Lebanese security official said they were unaware of any pullback. Some reports cited a modest step back in areas such as Tibnin and the Ali Taher Ridge as part of a broader, US-brokered effort to stabilize the border and enable the return of displaced civilians. Israeli and Lebanese officials have publicly denied a full withdrawal, and no formal declaration has yet been issued as discussions on a phased handover, including pilot withdrawal areas and an eventual text, continue.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, another account from a US official cited Israel withdrawing from parts of the security zone in southern Lebanon, describing the move as a goodwill gesture toward the Lebanese government. Israel has not issued an official response, and Israeli and Lebanese officials have pushed back on the claim. The discussions are taking place in Washington as part of a broader effort to stabilize the border and create conditions for civilians to return home, with next steps including potential Lebanese Army entry into vacated zones and the possibility of formalizing a phased withdrawal plan.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a third US State Department official reiterated that Israel had pulled back from parts of the southern Lebanon security zone. Israeli security officials denied any withdrawal and noted that the IDF continues to enforce control of the area against anyone approaching it, including Lebanese Army units. While reports have suggested the existence of pilot areas for withdrawal and a possible declaration of intent once text is agreed, Lebanon’s military officials have said no withdrawal has occurred and that troops remain deployed in the areas captured in southern Lebanon, as discussions over a staged handover proceed under US mediation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an opinion piece argues that Netanyahu’s deal with ultra-Orthodox partners is draining public resources and widening social rifts, with enlistment laws, budgets, and political moves perceived as shifting costs onto the military and the broader public. The author describes the dynamic during a traffic disruption that symbolically mirrors the political stalemate, criticizing the arrangement as one that benefits a non-Zionist bloc while Israel bears the burden of war and national costs. The column portrays the alliance with the ultra-Orthodox as unnecessary and harmful to the country’s long-term resilience, using sharp language to criticize the political calculus behind the coalition and its impact on national service and state resources.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu testifies in a defamation trial over health and fitness claims, appearing at the Ramla Magistrate’s Court in a case tied to publications questioning his health and a claimed meeting with a former IDF official. The evidentiary hearing, held at the Tel Aviv District Court building for security reasons, continues a session from May. Netanyahu, who has denied reports of pancreatic cancer, argues that the publications were false and defamatory, while the suit also targets journalists who questioned his appearance, medical treatment, and hospital visits.

In Israeli Economy and Business, El Al will suspend its Tel Aviv–Moscow flights for the coming days as tensions linked to Russia’s war with Ukraine and recent regional aviation incidents unfold. The airline will reassess the situation next week and decide whether to resume operations, with passengers to be informed and offered alternatives in line with the law. The disruption comes as Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, including depots and refineries far from the front lines, have reverberated through energy supply chains, contributing to a wider fuel crisis across Russia and neighboring areas. Kyiv’s attacks on maritime and energy supply routes have extended into distant regions, complicating Russian oil flows and markets.

In Uplifting News, a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder is reported to have been safely disarmed after a standoff at a Netivot home. Advanced-Staff-Sergeant Major Ariel Morzhanov, a crisis negotiator from Yamar who helped during the October 7 attacks, arrived at the scene to manage dialogue and de-escalate the situation as police and municipal units responded. The subject, a security guard and former reservist, was armed but posed no threat to others; negotiations led to a nonviolent resolution and a return to safety for the resident’s family.

In Uplifting News, Israel is preparing to send an aid mission to Venezuela after earthquakes devastated the country. The Foreign Ministry is conducting a situation assessment and coordinating with relevant authorities, while the Health Ministry plans a medical aid delegation that will join the effort, contingent on coordination and approval. Non-governmental groups, including IsraAID and KKL-JNF, are also mobilizing, with KKL-JNF pledging substantial funds to support Jewish communities and evacuees. The earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, prompted widespread damage and a forecasted death toll running into the thousands, underscoring the urgency of international relief efforts.

In Uplifting News, a fire in an Eilat apartment resulted in the rescue of a mother and child in mild condition, with damage to the kitchen and the residence. Fire investigators have opened an inquiry into the incident to determine its causes, as emergency services responded to the scene.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900499
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-withdrawing-from-parts-of-southern-lebanon-says-us-state-department/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/06/25/us-official-israel-withdraws-from-parts-of-security-zone-in-lebanon/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900506
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900488
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900504
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900483
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-900484
https://t.me/newssil/205244